8 honorees to be inducted into the Education Foundation of Yuma County Hall of Fame
Tonight marks the Education Foundation of Yuma County’s 37th annual Awards Banquet, where the Teacher of the Year and categorical winners will be announced.
Additionally, eight new members will be inducted into the Education Foundation of Yuma County’s Hall of Fame. Here’s the rundown on the inductees, as well as some further information on why exactly they’re being honored.
Kathy Hernandez, Special Achievement Award
First up, we have Kathy Hernandez, who is receiving the Special Achievement Award. This honor is “meant for a non-certi ed employee of Yuma County schools who clearly stands out among colleagues and has a long-term commitment to
education.”
“Here in Yuma, [Hernandez] has served our school districts in several capacities, and in each role, she puts her whole heart into it and the kids,” AWC Associate Dean of Communications Mandy Heil, who is also Hernandez’s daughter, writes of her. “She has served as a paraprofessional, librarian, substitute teacher, and long-term substitute.”
The majority of Hernandez’s time has been spent as Castle Dome Middle School, and she spearheaded initiatives like the “Lunch in the Library” book club and annual visits from AWC.
Dorothy Green, Professional Educator Award
Dorothy Green is one of the honorees who will receive the Professional Educator Award tonight, which recognizes “the historical signi cance of the individual’s contribution to teaching,” and the award considers “the lasting impact or contribution of the individual.”
After earning her master’s degree from the University of
Tulsa in 1964, Green taught 5th grade at Rolle Elementary School before retiring in 1995, and her former students
– whom she affectionately referred to as “squirts” – wrote letters to the Hall of
Fame Committee to credit her with guiding them.
“I’m grateful for the lessons and preparation for higher learning she conveyed to me. Her care, professionalism, and lessons continue to inspire me to this day,” one of her former students writes.
With initiatives like her mock credit union classroom project, Green utilized innovation to leave a lasting impact on her former students.
Don Klostreich, Professional Educator Award
Don Klostreich will also receive the Professional Educator Award tonight, honoring his contributions to wrestling programs both locally and outside of Yuma County.
In 1973, Klostreich moved to Tucson to coach football and wrestling at Sunnyside High School. By the time he left in 1989, the wrestling program had earned 39 individual championships and nine team state championships, and he volunteered as an assistant wrestling coach at Gila Ridge High School after retiring.
Notably, Don Klostreich was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and tonight’s Professional Educator Award acknowledges his contributions to the lives of various student-athletes.
Faith Klostreich, Professional Educator Award
Yuma Elementary School District One Governing Board President Faith Klostreich is being honored with the Professional Educator Award
“Faith Klostreich has served as a teacher, instructional leader, athletic director, and administrator, leaving an indelible mark on the educational landscape of Yuma County [and] making her deserving of induction into the Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame,” Gila Vista Junior High School Principal Frank Nuñez writes.
Nuñez also highlighted, “Under her leadership, Yuma High School transitioned from the Arizona State Improvement Designation to becoming one of the top-performing schools in our community.”
After retiring in 2017, Faith Klostreich continues to be involved in Yuma’s educational community through her current administrative role.
John Blabe, Professional Educator Award
On account of his contributions to East County, John Blabe is another one of tonight’s honorees.
With STEDY Superintendent Tom Tyree describing him as “a big-city boy from the Bronx who found a perfect t in a wonderful rural community,” Blabe
rst moved to Arizona in 1975 upon earning his bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University.
After teaching in Kayenta and Gila Bend, Blabe began his 29-year tenure at Antelope High School in Wellton beginning in the early 1980s. From teaching special education and serving as the athletic director to coaching football, basketball, and baseball, Blabe played an active role in the educational community until his 2014 retirement.
With recognitions like being named Coach of the Year in 2005 (which was later renamed in his honor) and Athletic Director of the Year in 2012 by the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, the Professional Educator Award is yet another tribute to Blabe’s impact.
Deb Decesare, Professional Educator Award
Next up is Deb Decesare, who moved to Yuma from Maryland in 1975 and taught band at a variety of local schools.
In 1994, Decesare developed multiple sclerosis (MS) and was legally blind for 18 months beginning in 1997, though she worked to adapt her teaching methods to continue educating. After pivoting to mathematics and becoming a facilitator to help coach teachers in 2002, Decesare retired in 2009 after her MS continued to progress.
However, Decesare decided to stay involved by volunteering at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Library and utilizing voice-command technology to make Powerpoint presentations.
“MS has never taken away Ms. Decesare’s love for teaching, and she is an inspiration in the way she has adapted her teaching,” Education Foundation of Yuma County board member Helen Coffeen writes. “Even during retirement, she continues to teach teachers and students.”
Dr. Linda Elliott-nelson, Frances Woodard Award
The Frances Woodard Award, which honors a locally educated person who “has made a signi cant impact in the citizens of Yuma County,” is going to Dr. Linda Elliott-nelson.
The daughter of educators, Elliott-nelson graduated from Kofa High School before earning a bachelor’s from NAU, a Master of Arts and MBA from